We do it to ourselves. We search for bargains at the big box stores, putting the full service places out of business. Then we lament the lack of care and attention. You get what you pay for.

Very well put. I shop at Advance but also started frequenting a localy owned foreign car parts store. I hadn't been there in years and the two guys behind the counter (who had been there for years) still remembered my name.

Here we go again. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: buy an INTERSTATE BATTERY and don't worry about it. The Interstate truck services every dealer every week. They replace the batteries that were sold and rotate the stock that needs to go back for recharging. Every Interstate battery is fresh and ready to go when it is sold. You can go into your local Kame Apart store and get the one with the latest date, but it may only be at 75% charge. I value my time, but apparently some of you don't. If someone is driving an old car and struggling to survive, my heart goes out to them, and I'll do what I can to help them, but if you're driving a late model Mercedes and can't install a decent battery, you're either a cheap bastard or driving a car out of your class. I want to save money as well as the next person, but I am willing to give up a few CDs or whatever to buy quality products. I abhor junk. Please don't get me wrong. I am not wealthy. I just prefer to spend my discretionary income on a few high quality products rather than a bunch of junk. My take on the subject is that if you save $40.00 on a POS battery, you can buy some CDs or go out to dinner. Meanwhile your neighbor is inconvenienced, because he has to give you a jump. Then your wife is stuck in the rain, because you saved $40.00. This will probably end this thread, because it usually does.

I just buy OE MB batterys. Besides if it ever breaks I'll just call roadside and they will bring and install another. About $120 for the battery, install free.:D

Advance and AutoZone are on the same level - the lowest. They hire guys who don't know diddly and sell parts that are cheap. Skip those two guys whenever you can.

I use Napa and buy Interstates - the Napa I use sells Interstates. Excellent battery, never had a premature failure.

I have some good news, you saved a bunch a money on your battery by switching to "lowcosto"...........I'm sorry just I couldn't resist…………:jester:

When purchasing cost effective items one of the unfortunate, as well as unforeseen, problems can be the time we invest trying to get something resolved if the item fails during the warranty period. My time is worth x$$$s per hour therefore I have little time to contend with some trivial cost savings when it comes to specific items, the battery is one of those items. Before purchasing a cost effective item perhaps one needs to consider how much their personal time is worth $$ In the unlikely event you to need exchange the item during the warranty period does investing more of your valuable time make cents?

I totally agree. If this where a Ford Escort forum, I would say do the best you can to survive, and my best wishes go with you. This happens to be an MB forum, however, so I say if you can't afford a decent battery, you shouldn't be driving a Mercedes.

I had four Bruco 6 volt batteries wired in series in a twin engine power boat that lasted 13 years without any problems. At that time I replaced them with Interstate truck batteries (2 X 12 volts)just so I would not be standed some day. I did put an Interstate in my 280 Sl just after I bought it.

K-Mart sells Interstates.

Last summer I bought an 850 CCA after a cell in my previous (non-interstate) battery failed. K-Mart deducted the value remaining under the warranty and I wound up paying about $40.00 for a big brute of a battery.